Entrance ticket with lighting effect

ABSTRACT

An apparatus having an embedded processor in a substrate for creating a synchronous lighting effect at a controlled access venue and a method for creating a lighting effect at a controlled access venue while controlling access to the venue simultaneously using the apparatus that coordinates with the performance allowing a holder of the apparatus to perform with the performance.

The present application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/366,243 filed on Feb. 3, 2012, entitled“ENTRANCE TICKET WITH LIGHTING EFFECT,” which claims priority to and thebenefit of International Application No. PCT/US2010/043839, filed onJul. 30, 2010, entitled “ENTRANCE TICKET WITH LIGHTING EFFECT,” whichclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/534,813 filed onAug. 3, 2009 entitled, “ENTRANCE TICKET WITH LIGHTING EFFECT,” which isnow issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,899. These references are herebyincorporated in their entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to an apparatus and a method ofuse of an apparatus that operates to provide admission to a controlledaccess venue and to create a lighting effect synchronized with otheraudience members, enabling the holder to gain admission to the venue andto participate with a performance at the venue.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for an apparatus that can provide for tracking ofadmissions, controlling access of admissions, as well as enabling anattendee to interact with a performance at a controlled access venue,thereby enabling the attendee to more fully become involved in theevent.

A need exists for a method of using a dual purpose apparatus that canprovide for tracking of admissions, controlling access of admissions, aswell as enabling an apparatus holder to interact with a performance at acontrolled access venue, thereby enabling the apparatus holder to morefully become involved in a performance.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1A shows a diagram of a controlled access venue with the apparatusfor the lighting effect contained in it.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of a diagram of a controlledaccess venue with the apparatus for the lighting effect contained in it.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the processor with computer instructions in datastorage.

FIG. 5 shows a wristband embodiment of the apparatus.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listedFigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present apparatus and method in detail, it is tobe understood that the apparatus and method are not limited to theparticular embodiments and that the invention can be practiced orcarried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for creating alighting effect in a controlled access venue.

The method can include providing an apparatus for creating a lightingeffect in a controlled access venue. The apparatus can include asubstrate. The substrate can be any material. The apparatus can have apower source connected with a power source embedded in the substrate.

The at least one light emitting device is configured to provide alighting effect. The lighting effect can a steady glow at a fixedintensity, a variably intensity, a flicker on and off, a change ofcolors, a smooth flow, or other predetermined lighting effect.

Accordingly, the method can include causing manipulation of the lightemitting device to create the lighting effect. The manipulation of thelight emitting device can be caused by any telemetry interacting with aprocessor configured to control the light emitting device. Themanipulation of the telemetry can cause the lighting effect. Forexample, a signal can be sent to a processor in communication with thelight emitting device to cause the light emitting device to alternatebetween a first color and a second color. In illustration, the signalcan interact with the processor causing manipulation of the lightemitting device to produce an image. The manipulation of the lightemitting device can cause any desired lighting effect.

In one or more embodiments, the telemetry causing the manipulation ofthe lighting effect can be configuring a processor in communication withthe light emitting device to manipulate the light emitting device toprovide a predetermined lighting effect in accordance with a specificinstrument being played. For example, the processor can manipulate thelight emitting device to provide a lighting effect of a flashing lightthat flashes in correlation to beats of a drum.

In one or more embodiments, the method can include providing a first setof apparatus to a first set of attendees, and providing a second set ofapparatus to a second set of attendees. The method can also includemanipulating the lighting effect of the first set of apparatus accordingto sound emitted from a first instrument, and manipulating the lightingeffect of the second set of apparatus according to sound emitted from asecond instrument.

The apparatus can be an item passed out at the venue, a ticket to thevenue, or the like.

In one or more embodiments, the light emitting device can be a stickerpassed out at the venue that can be attached to a substrate that wasprovided with the ticket and configured to connect with the power sourcein the substrate.

In one or more embodiments, the power supply can be a sticker passed outat the venue and configured to connect with a light emitting device onthe substrate. The substrate can be the ticket or the like.

The apparatus can create a synchronously presented lighting effect froman audience in a controlled access venue, such as a music theater or aconcert hall, during a performance.

Each of the plurality of apparatus can have a substrate with a firstside for supporting a readable identification code and a second side forsupporting a message such as “don't smoke” or “danger high decibelsexpected.” The substrate can have a thickness less than about 0.4inches, can weigh less than about 2 ounces, and can be flexible.

The identification code can be a bar code, a numerical code, analphanumeric code, a radio frequency identification “RFID” tag, or aseries of “check digits” used to verify a code, which are well known inthe warehouse packing industry.

A power source can be disposed or embedded within the substrate, such asa small camera battery or other battery. The power source can be fromabout 1 volt to about 9 volts and can originate from a battery such as ahearing aid battery, a printable battery, a watch battery, a lithium ionbattery, a rechargeable battery, a solar battery, or any othercommercially available battery.

Any number of light emitting devices can be electrically connected tothe power source for use during the performance. The at least one lightemitting device can be anything capable of emitting light. For example,the at least one light emitting device can be a light emitting diode“LED”, an organic light-emitting diode “OLED”, a luminescent, or thelike. The light emitting device can have a plurality of pixels, lines,or any intensity.

A controller with a processor and a data storage can be disposed in thesubstrate. The processor can be in communication with the data storageand can further be in electrical communication with the power source andthe at least one light emitting device.

Computer instructions can be stored in the data storage, which can beused to instruct the processor to operate the lights in a predeterminedsequence. The processor can be activated by a musical beat, by a melody,by a pitch line, or the processor can activate as a reaction to theperformance on the stage of the controlled access venue. The datastorage can be flash memory. The processor can be microprocessor.

The apparatus can have an actuator associated with the substrate whichcan be, in an embodiment, embedded in the substrate for initiatingflashing of the lights based on a predetermined set of computerinstructions which determine how the lights flash, including thesequence of the flashing.

The actuator can be in direct communication with the processor. Theactuator can be a sound receiver which can receive a sound from thestage or a signal from a performance transmitter and can then initiatethe lighting effect. The signal from the performance transmitter can bereferred to herein as a first signal.

The sound receiver can be a microphone or any other commerciallyavailable sound receiver.

The apparatus can have an actuator that is a pull tab, which can bedisposed at least partially in the substrate acting as a separatorbetween the power source and the processor, so that when the pull tab isremoved a connection between the processor and the power source isformed such that the processor can receive power and can utilize thecomputer instructions on the data storage which determines the sequenceof the lighting effect.

In operation, the pull tab can be torn off of the substrate, therebyestablishing a circuit between the power source and the processor andsending a signal to initiate the processor. The pull tab can initiallybe disposed between the power source and the processor, therebydisrupting any electronic signal from communicating between the powersource and the processor. Upon removal of the pull tab from thesubstrate, the pull tab will no longer be disrupting any electronicsignal between the power source and processor, allowing the processor tobe initiated.

In an embodiment, the pull tab can be disposed on a tear tab, such as aperforated ticket stub. The tear tab can be removed from the apparatusor substrate by tearing the tear tab from the apparatus or substratealong the perforation. As the tear tab is removed from the substrate,the pull tab is simultaneously removed from the substrate, therebyestablishing electrical communication between the power source and theprocessor. In this manner, the tear tab cannot be reattached to thesubstrate, thereby ensuring that the apparatus is only usable for oneperformance.

In an embodiment, the actuator can initiate the processor when itreceives a second signal from a network transmitter connected to anetwork to start the lighting sequence or to change a lighting sequencethat has been started.

Alternatively, a switch, such as an electronic on/off switch, can beembedded in the substrate or attached to the surface of the substrate.The switch can mechanically initiate the light individually or caninitiate the flashing light sequence.

Combinations of actuators can be usable in an embodiment of theapparatus.

The processor of each apparatus can operate synchronously to create alighting effect such as three short flashing lights, followed by twolong flashing lights, followed by three short light flashes to interactand send a message with music being performed on stage. Another part ofthe same audience can have different computer instructions, which flashthose lights in a counterpoint beat to the first group of audiencemembers. Similarly, there can be a third group of audience members,which can be all with green lights, that flash as a group in between theother flashing lights which can be red or blue. Additional colors ormulticolored lights can be useable with the embodiments.

Simultaneously the processors for the plurality of apparatus cansynchronously operate during the performance all the while serving thedual purpose of controlling access to the controlled access venue. Theseunique apparatus can allow each holder to interactively participate withthe performance as a member of the performance with the apparatus.

The apparatus can be contemplated in an embodiment to have a flexiblesubstrate, which can be reusable. In an embodiment, the flexiblesubstrate can have a thickness of less than about 1 inch, and a weightof less than about 5 ounces.

The first signal can be an audio signal or a wireless signal. In anembodiment, the audio signal can have a preset frequency limit thatrepresents a bass frequency range, a treble frequency range, a sequenceof pitches, or a drum beat sequence to initiate the actuator on each ofthe plurality of apparatus.

An embodiment can contemplate that the audio signal and the wirelesssignal can come from the network, which can be initiated at apredetermined time.

In an embodiment, the auto signal and the wireless signal can begenerated by a user, such as by a disc jockey “DJ”, an operator, a soundtechnician, or similar user, by tapping a beat using a mouse, an IPOD™,an IPHONE™, or another similar device, which can be in communicationwith the network, such as with a computer, laptop, personal digitalassistant, a cellular phone, or combinations thereof.

The apparatus can additionally have an expiration date programmed intothe computer instructions in the data storage for deactivating theprocessor, so that an apparatus used for the Beach Boys in New Jersey,on Jun. 22, 2009 can not be used again to see the Beach Boys in Chicagoon Jun. 23, 2009.

It can be contemplated that the light can be a light emitting diode(LED), a fluorescent light, a halogen light, a neon light, orcombinations thereof.

Another embodiment can contemplate that an electroluminescence coatingcan be printed on the substrate and can also act as the lighting effect,replacing the light for some uses, and acting in conjunction to thelight in other uses. In addition, electroluminescent wire can be used,which can also act as the lighting effect.

If lights are used, the lights can be connected together on theapparatus in series, in parallel, or combinations thereof, to the powersource.

An embodiment contemplates that the substrate can also include a lighterand the actuator can be a removable pin removable from the lighter toallow the sequence of lights to electrically engage the power source andinitiate.

The lighter can have a case, which can be 100 percent engulfed withelectroluminescence, electroluminescent wires, or chemi-luminescencepaint or a similar coating that appears to glow independently withoutthe need for any additional stimulating light. An embodiment can becontemplated for use with black lights.

In an embodiment, the apparatus can be imprinted and a “smart” lighterwith a removable pin for engaging the lighter, such as a magnet pin thatcan be detachable at the venue with a security controllable pin removingdevice.

In this embodiment, the lighter can also include a microprocessor anddata storage, which can also have computer instructions for producing alighting effect as described previously.

Another embodiment can contemplate that the removable pin can only beremovable by a security guard, that the removable pin can in fact be asecurity controllable pin that can require a security controllable pinremoving device that is only used at an entrance to the controlledaccess venue.

The substrate of the apparatus can be contemplated to be one or more ofthe following types of items: a stiff paper, a non-forming flexible butcrystalline plastic, a cardboard sheet, a thin aluminum plate, aflexible metal plate, a rubberized plate or a 2 millimeter thin plate ofanother flexible but shape supporting synthetic material.

The power source can be a AAA DC battery, a AA battery, a lithium ionbattery, a solar cell, a watch battery, a hearing aid battery, or anyother commercially available battery. In embodiments, the power sourcecan be rechargeable. In other embodiments, the power source can bereplaceable.

It can be contemplated that the power source can be a printable battery,such as one from the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Electronic NanoSystems ENAS, of Germany. This embodiment is environmentally friendly,as the printable battery contains to no mercury.

The apparatus can include a substrate that can operate as a wrist band,a neck band, head gear, a neck lanyard, a brooch, a T-shirt, sunglasses,or another wearable apparatus with a lighting effect.

An embodiment contemplates that the apparatus can have a “no reentry”code, which can prohibit reentry of apparatus to the controlled accessvenue.

In order to more fully understand the apparatus, an embodiment of amethod of using the apparatus can include the steps of:

(a) gaining access to a controlled access venue using an apparatus witha substrate, with an actuator embedded within the substrate, wherein theactuator is connected to a power source embedded in the substrate, atleast one light embedded in the substrate, a controller with a processorembedded in the substrate, data storage communicating with the processorembedded in the substrate, computer instructions in the data storage forinstructing the processor to operate at least one light;(b) actuating at least one light on the apparatus comprising a stepselected from the group consisting of: pulling on a pull tab; receivinga first signal from a performance transmitter; tearing off a tear tabdisposed on the substrate, wherein a pull tab is disposed on the teartab; engaging a switch embedded in the substrate; receiving a secondsignal from a network transmitter connected to a network; actuating aswitch disposed on the substrate; and receiving a first signal from aperformance venue; and(c) receiving a second signal from a network to synchronously operateeach of the least one lights to create a synchronous lighting effectwith each processor of each apparatus in an audience, while controllingaccess to the controlled access venue, allowing each member of theaudience to interactively participate with a performance.

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1A shows a controlled access venue 11with a plurality of apparatus, 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d. Each apparatus can beheld by a member of the audience 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d. The performance 9can occur on a stage in front of the audience or can be viewable by theaudience. The performance can be remote, or can be electronicallyconnected to the audience in the manner of live aid concerts, which canhave remote audiences to the show going on in London.

Also shown in FIG. 1A is a performance transmitter 23 for transmitting afirst signal 26.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1A, with a network 34 incommunication with a network transmitter 33 for transmitting a secondsignal 32 to the plurality of apparatus 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an apparatus 5 a. The apparatus can have asubstrate 13, which can be flexible and can be made of a plastic. Theplastic can be clear and transparent. The plastic can also be acrystalline polypropylene or homopolymer of polyethylene that canwithstand temperatures up to about 112 Fahrenheit without deforming ormelting.

The substrate 13 can have a first side 14, which can have anon-removable readable identification code 15. The identification codecan be intended to not only be readable by a scanner, such as a barcode, but can be readable or scanned by a human.

In the substrate 13 can have a power source 16 that can be battery. Alsoin the first side 14 can be a first light 18 a and a second light 18 b,which can be the same color, different colors, or multicolored. Thelights can be connected to the power source 16.

A controller 19 can also be connected to at least one light 18 a, 18 b,which can be connected in series, in parallel, or combinations thereof.The controller 19 can be in communication with the power source 16.

FIG. 2 also shows the sound receiver 27 which is depicted connected tothe power supply 16 and the controller 19. The sound receiver 27 can bea wireless signal receiver, or an infra red detector, which the firstsignal can be transmitted to via the network.

The apparatus is shown with a switch 35 for actuating the lightingeffect using the lights. The apparatus can also have an expiration date45 and a no reentry code 50.

FIG. 3 shows the opposite side of the apparatus 5 a of FIG. 2 with thesecond side 17 supporting a message 12. This Figure also shows the pulltab 29, which is disposed as a block between the controller 19 and thepower source 16. In this embodiment, once the pull tab is pulled ortorn, it will remove the block from the power source to the controllerand initiate the lighting effect.

FIG. 4 shows a processor 20 with data storage 2, which can further havecomputer instructions 22, which can include computer instructions toinstruct the processor to operate the at least one light using apredetermined sequence 22, a bass music frequency 37, a treble musicfrequency 39, a sequence of pitches 41 or a drumbeat sequence 43.

The lighting effect can be pulsed based on the beat or tempo of themusic. The lights can be individually preprogrammed lights with flashingsequences. The lights can be operated based on a seat location and canbe based on the audio sequence of the performance.

In an embodiment, certain lights on certain apparatus can operate basedon the performer, such as group A can operate during the drumbeatsequence, provided by a drummer of the performance, and group B canoperate during the bass music frequency, provided by a bassist of theperformance.

The lights can change in intensity, color, pulsation, on/off signalingbased on the mood of the music, the tempo of the music and the dynamicof the music.

The colors of the lights can further be operated based on sponsorshipsof the venue.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the apparatus 5 a, wherein the apparatus 5a is a wristband. The wristband embodiment of the apparatus 5 a isfurther shown with first light 18 a and second light 18 b incommunication with the controller 19 and the power source 16 aspreviously described in FIGS. 2 and 3.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on theembodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for creating a lighting effect in acontrolled access venue, wherein the apparatus comprises: a. a flexiblesubstrate comprising at least one of: a stiff paper, a flexiblecrystalline plastic, a cardboard sheet, a thin aluminum plate, aflexible metal plate, a rubberized plate or a 2 millimeter thin plate ofa flexible and shape supporting synthetic material; b. a power sourceconnected with the substrate, wherein the power source is a DC battery,a lithium ion battery, a printable battery, a solar cell battery, anycommercially available battery, or combinations thereof; c. at least onelight emitting device electrically connected to the power source,wherein the at least one light emitting device is configured to providea lighting effect, wherein the at least one light emitting device is alight emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent light, a halogen light, a neonlight, an organic light emitting diode, a luminescent or combinationsthereof; d. a controller disposed in the flexible substrate, wherein thecontroller comprises a processor and a data storage; and e. a networktransmitter in communication with a network and the controller, whereinthe network transmitter transmits telemetry messages to the controller.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emittingdevice is an electroluminescent coating printed on the substrate inelectrical communication with the power source.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of light emitting devicesconnected in series, in parallel, or combinations thereof, to the powersource.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source isrechargeable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source isreplaceable.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lighting effect ismodified based on a specific frequency or sound from a specificinstrument.
 7. A method for creating a lighting effect in a controlledaccess venue comprising: a. providing an apparatus for creating thelighting effect in the controlled access venue, wherein the apparatuscomprises: (i) a flexible substrate comprising at least one of: a stiffpaper, a flexible crystalline plastic, a cardboard sheet, a thinaluminum plate, a flexible metal plate, a rubberized plate or a 2millimeter thin plate of a flexible and shape supporting syntheticmaterial; (ii) a power source connected with the substrate, wherein thepower source is a DC battery, a lithium ion battery, a printablebattery, a solar cell battery, any commercially available battery, orcombinations thereof; (iii) at least one light emitting deviceelectrically connected to a power source, wherein the at least one lightemitting device is configured to provide a lighting effect, wherein theat least one light emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED), afluorescent light, a halogen light, a neon light, an organic lightemitting diode, a luminescent or combinations thereof; (iv) a controllerdisposed in the flexible substrate, wherein the controller comprises aprocessor and a data storage; and (v) a network transmitter incommunication with a network and the controller, wherein the networktransmitter transmits telemetry messages to the controller; and b.providing a first set of apparatus to a first set of attendees andproviding a second set of apparatus which are configured to respond todifferent telemetry than the first set of apparatus to a second set ofattendees.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising causingmanipulation of the light emitting device to create the lighting effect.9. The method of claim 7, further comprising modifying the lightingeffect of the first set of apparatus according to sound emitted from afirst instrument, and modifying the second set of apparatus according tosound emitted from a second instrument.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the flexible substrate comprises an identification code.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the identification code is a bar code, anumerical code, an alphanumeric code, a radio frequency identificationtag, a series of “check digits” used to verify a code, or combinationsthereof.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one lightemitting device is an electroluminescent coating, an electroluminescentwire, or a chemi-luminescent paint.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the controller is in communication with a sound receiver whichdetects a sound or receives a signal from a performance transmitter andinitiates the lighting effect.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a pull tab, wherein the pull tab does not allow power to bedelivered from the power source, and further wherein the pull tab can beremoved to allow power to be delivered from the power source.
 15. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising providing an expiration date fordeactivating the apparatus for creating the lighting effect.
 16. Themethod of claim 7, wherein telemetry messages are generated by a user oran operator.
 17. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one lightemitting device is a sticker.
 18. The method of claim 7, wherein thelighting effect is an image created by manipulation of the at least onelight emitting device.
 19. The method of claim 7, further comprisingdistributing at least a portion of the apparatus for creating thelighting effect at the controlled access venue.
 20. The method of claim7, wherein telemetry messages from a remote performance are received bythe apparatus for creating the lighting effect.